NBA Power Rankings

Written by Cole Klints

1. Boston Celtics

• Coming off a disappointing Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Heat, the Celtics have upgraded their roster tremendously. With the loss of Brogdon, Smart, and Robert Williams the Celtics were able to add Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Let’s be honest their starting five look almost unstoppable with Tatum, Brown, Holiday, Horford and Porzingis. Look for them to be top 5 in both offense and defense this season with a line-up that will be a nightmare match-up for any team

2. Denver Nuggets

• The reigning NBA champs will be sitting atop the Western Conference primed to make another finals appearance with not much changes to their roster. The loss of Bruce Brown to the Pacers will likely be felt as he was a stabilizer on the defensive end with the ability to hit open threes. Look for Christian Braun to have a larger role this season as a filler for the Bruce Brown loss.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

• Just a massive offseason for the Bucks with the acquisition of Damian Lillard. Giannis and Lillard are going to be a nightmare pick and roll duo which will lead to 2 points or an open look for three against any defense in the league. The addition of Malik Beasley and Cam Payne will help bolster a solid bench squad. The loss of Jrue Holiday will have a massive impact on this team’s perimeter defense so look for their 3 pointers allowed number to rise significantly. It will be interesting to see how first time head coach Adrian Griffin will utilize the weapons he has, but there are far worse situations to walk into.

4. Phoenix Suns

• Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal. This team will have the most electric offense this season with three elite level scorers. They aren’t without questions however, as their bench cast is lacking and will likely let up almost as many points as they score. There is just no way I can drop that trio lower than four as it really could be one of the greatest offensive scoring teams of all time.

5. Golden State Warriors

• Is there really much to say? Yes, they lost Jordan Poole this offseason but I don’t think it will really make much of a difference to the most stable and consistent team over the last decade. Poole was essentially unplayable in the playoffs last year averaging 10.1 points on 34% shooting (ASS). A washed Chris Paul joins the squad who will have some elite assist numbers this year. This feels like the last year the Warriors may have a title shot so look for Steph and Co. to be hungry. 

6. Los Angeles Lakers

• LeBron James. I don’t care that he’s old. They upgraded their depth and have LeBron. If Anthony Day-to-Davis can stay reasonably healthy I wouldn’t put it past them to reach the Conference Finals again. 

7. Los Angeles Clippers

• I’m gonna sit here and fall for it again. There is literally no chance this team stays healthy, but I just want them to so badly. We have yet to see this team actually play a good playoff series together. Westbrook also just stinks now. Having him as your starting point guard in 2023 just feels like a hindrance, but hey Kawhi Leonard and Paul George has to be my favorite duo in the league.

8. Miami Heat

• Honestly, I don’t know if they should be this high even after a surprising finals appearance. This team lost what feels like most of their key role players with Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and Cody Zeller leaving. They do get Tyler Herro back which is huge. IDK its Miami, they will have some random G-leaguers dropping 30 in the playoffs so 8 feels fitting.

9. Sacramento Kings

• This team is electric to watch. Coming off posting an NBA record setting best offensive rating and with no notable changes to their roster, they will definitely be good again. They are stacked with young talent and can make a deep playoff run if some of that talent takes it to the next level. Call me insane but Davion Mitchell will be a little Marcus Smart clone this year and Keegan Murray averages 18 a game. Book it.

10. New York Knicks

• I bleed orange and blue. I don’t care about Philly. I don’t care about Cleveland. This team will not regress and Randle will put together another great season. RJ Barrett finally make the leap and will average 22 a game. Brunson will be the clear leader as this team grabs the 4th seed and home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

11. Cleveland Cavaliers

• The team is young and exciting with Darius Garland likely to take some steps forward. Mitchell will be great as always. Hopefully, Mobley will have progressed in his touch around the basket to start on his path to a dominant center. Niang and Strus can help the bench be a more balanced offensive unit. They look like a solid team that could make a run with some steps forward from their young players.

12. Philadelphia 76ers

• Philly is just a mess right now with the Harden and Morey drama. Embiid is looking like he might want out if improvements aren’t made. The brightside is Tyrese Maxey will likely become a borderline all-star this season with Harden not in control of the offense and Embiid is coming off his best season to date and will look to win another MVP in a role that will rely heavily upon him. Kelly Oubre is also there and he’s hot so that might make me putting them this low a mistake.

13. Memphis Grizzlies

• They shouldn’t be this low, but Ja is out the first 25 games and Steven Adams is out for the season now. Dillon Brooks is also gone who, while being such a loser, still was a key defender. JJJ is going to have to overcome his horrible fouling issues which doesn’t seem likely(fouled out in the 2nd quarter of a preseason game like 2 days ago). Marcus Smart is a huge pick-up though to become the team’s primary defender. They’ll still be great with Bane and Ja.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves

• Anthony Edwards. Dude is elite, with some better efficiency he will be a top 10 player. KAT and Gobert are also here, but I don’t care, this is the Anthony Edwards show and his ceiling creates the team’s ceiling.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder

• This team is going to be so fun to watch. Arguably the best young core in the league with Shai, Chet, Giddey, Dort and both the Williams’. If their young players can take some steps forward they will be a very scary team in a few years.

16. Atlanta Hawks

• Trae Young is a great point guard don’t get me wrong, but he has to be the worst defender in the league. Dejounte Murray was a good grab to try and counteract Young’s atrocious defense, but when they share the court together the team underperforms as both tend to be pretty ball dominant players. They also didn’t make any moves other than shed John Collins. Hawks will just be mid.

17. New Orleans Pelicans

• Half their team is hurt it feels like and no one actually believes my fat prince Zion will be able to stay healthy enough to carry this team. On paper they have a great line-up, but it may be time to scrap their team and start a rebuild.

18. Dallas Mavericks

• This team is just so disappointing. In minutes Kyrie and Luka shared the floor; they were just so dogshit. They made some nice moves in the offseason like grabbing Seth Curry, Grant Williams and Richaun Holmes. Idk it just doesn’t feel like enough, but Luka is still elite and may just be able to carry even though he’s starting the season with a calf injury which may be a factor later into the season.

19. Toronto Raptors

• Pascal Siakam is not good enough to be a teams #1 option. They have a really good team, but are just lacking that superstar player that can take them to the next level. Had an okay off-season adding Dennis Schroder. Look for Gary Trent JR to have a breakout season before Scottie Barnes does.

20. Brooklyn Nets

• Just watched some more Ben Simmons offseason three pointer vids so I’m pretty high on the Nets right now. Thinking this team led by Ben Simmons (Trust me he’s actually back) and Mikal Bridges can be a frisky team that can get out in transition and do some damage.

21. Indiana Pacers

• I just wanna watch Obi Toppin and Haliburton running in transition. Literally all I care about with this team. Plus Bennedict Mauthrin for Most Improved Player, dude is a stud with shades of Anthony Edwards.

22. Chicago Bulls

• Possibly the most delusional fan base I’ve ever come across. This team is gonna be dogshit. Zach Lavine is good just not a #1 option good and the same goes for Derozan. Lavine I think asks to be traded as the Bulls end up selling at the deadline and starting their rebuild. 

23. Utah Jazz

• Jazz have some sick throwback uniforms and also have Collin Sexton who played a college game at Alabama 3v5 so he will always have my respect. Really not much to say here, they have Markkanen and THT, but honestly who cares. Next.

24. Orlando Magic

• Give me Paolo isos all day. This team has some fun young talent in addition to Paolo with Fultz, Suggs, Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter. Other than that they are just so bad. I challenge you to name me one other player on this team other than those six.

25. San Antonio Spurs

• You know why they’re here. Bought the league pass just so I can watch Wembanyama dominate while the Spurs are down by 30. They do have some young talent with Keldon Johnson and Sochan, but they’ll still be in competition for that #1 pick.

26. Washington Wizards

• I’d rather dodge cars on the highway than watch the Jordan Poole and Kuzma show in Washington. Just gonna wait for the edits of baddies on the sideline while Poole drops 40 and loses by 25. Team stinks.

27. Detroit Pistons

• Shoot Killian Hayes into the stratosphere as the first step to improvement. We are all happy Cade Cunningham is back and Ausar Thompson might be a stud. Pistons might be fun to watch, but they’re going to be horrendous.

28. Houston Rockets

• Just another fun bit of KPJ drama but hey at least you only had to sell off two 2nd round picks to get rid of your leading scorer. They’ve got fun young talent and an experienced coach coming in with Ime Udoka (Rockets love scandals). They’ll still stink for a bit but give it a few years.

29. Charlotte Hornets

• Charlotte’s offseason training was strictly criminal activity. That bald alcoholic made a good decision selling the team cause they’ve been ass for years and will be even more ass this year. Brandon Miller has a NBA superstar name but I’m a hater. Should’ve drafted Scoot. Shoutout Lamelo Ball though.

30. Portland Trailblazers

• Scoot Henderson.